Happy 1st Birthday Benjamin!

 Ben turned 1 today!  It was very hard to get his picture since it is rare that he stills still anymore!  He is crawling all over and can pull himself up on everything.  He likes to walk along the furniture and holding someones hand, I don't think it will be long before he tries it on his own!

 Ben's favorite word right now is "go"!  Anytime someone is leaving he crawls toward the door saying "go, go"

 I thought this picture was funny!

 He is such a happy little boy!  He loves when people try to "get" him!

 Ben liked when we sang "Happy Birthday" to him in English & Mandarin!

 Hannah & I made cupcakes for Ben!  Even though he really didn't eat it, he just squished it!

 "Uh oh" that is what he said as he dropped the cupcake on the floor!

 We opened presents the next morning!  Ben actually ripped the presents open himself, until he got distracted by what was inside!

Ben had a great day!  I still can't believe he is already 1!  That year flew by!

1st day of Kindergarten

 Today was Kenzie's first day of Kindergarten.  She is getting so big, I still can't believe she is in Kindergarten already!  She was so excited for her first day!

 I got this idea off of Pinterest.  Here is how she writes her name.

 She is going to SCIS again this year.  

Her teacher this year is Ms. McIsaac and her Mandarin teacher is Ms. Albee.

Ms. McIsaac is from Michigan too, so Kenzie was pretty excited about that!  She is also a huge Tigers fan!

This is going to be a great year, can't wait to see how she grows and see how much she learns!

Back in China

We got back to China on Friday August 10, 2012.  I had to bring them back all by myself.  4 over sized suitcases, 1 over sized box, a double stroller, 3 carry on bags and 3 kids!  It went surprisingly good!  The kids slept most of the time.  I was able to get through security with no problem, with the help of a very nice security guard.  Then was able to get onto the plane with no problems, was offered help from a very nice lady that was also traveling alone with her 2 young kids.  The flight was long, but not too bad!  The only problem I had was when we got there and had to get our bags.  I couldn't find a cart, so I got all the bags off and was just kindof looking around like great now what am I going to do, when the same nice lady from the plane walked up and asked if she could help!  So she watched to kids while I searched for a cart!  Then we took the 3 carts, 1 stroller and 5 kids and we able to get out of there!  Luckily our husbands and drivers were waiting right there when we walked out the door!  I am so glad that she was there, it just proves that there are still good people out there willing to help!  We are still trying to get back on schedule with our sleep, but I think we are almost there!  

This was Ben at dinner on Saturday!  Poor baby fell asleep eating!

Goodhue Camping Trip 2012

 We had our 5th annual Goodhue Family Camping Trip this year from August 1-5th.  It was Mom's turn to plan it is we went to Straits State Park in St. Ignance.  We also had an extra family this year, my friend Sarah, Cory, Kadence & Kendalyn came too since they live about 3 hours away.  It was so great to see them!

 Megan cooking bacon!

 Joe cooking eggs, they had the first breakfast!

 We were close to the playground on the campground!  Max loved swinging!

 The campers!

 Max on Tanner's bike

 Happy Campers!

 The tents!

 On August 2nd we took the ferry over to Mackinac Island.

 Trying to give Max a ride

 Our group on the island

 We also climbed the hill up to Fort Mackinac

 It was a very steep hill, not a good idea to push a stroller up there!

 The entrance to the fort

 Playing with Jacob's ladder

 Relaxing!

 We took the Children's tour at the fort where we learn what kid of toys the kids on the island used to play with, then we got our turn!

 Max!

 Kenzie

 Kenzie wanted her picture taken with our tour guide

 Kenzie & Erika marching with the soliders

 Cornhole!  We had a Cornhole Tournament and although I don't have pictures from it...Dad won first place, Kari was second and Joe was third.  Megan got the booby prize since she was in last place!

 They got me a cake for my birthday!

 Benny playing!

 We had a great view of the bridge from our campground

 Max helping do dishes

 My little hippie Hannah

 Taking a rest

 Benny & Papa

 Me & Kari made shirts for everyone with nicknames on them...they were a hit!!

 Group shot!  

 The Grimes Family (minus Gary since he was already back in China)

 Mom & Dad and their girls!

 Group shot by the bridge!

 They look like they are plotting something, perhaps their plans for next year!

 Painting treasure boxes

 Kadence

 Kenzie

 Cheese!

 Last year we added a Scavenger Hunt to the camping fun!  Me, Kenzie & Kayla were the winners last year.  Beth decided we needed to have trophy to make things more competitive so here is is!

 This year was Benny's first time camping, since last year we went right before he was born!  He loved it!

 2012 Scavenger Hunt Winners!  Todd, Kim & Hannah.

The teams are picked randomly!

 Hannah picked this outfit out!

 Huge card players...Beth, Megan, Joe & Todd!

 Playing in the water

 We went down the road to play in Lake Michigan!  

We had a great time camping!  We look forward to this every summer!

Lots of good memories made!!

Can't wait to see what Kari comes up with for next year!